In the following sentence completion question, choose the most appropriate verb so that the sentence correctly compares India with other countries: "Few countries can __________ India in variety, colour and the richness of dance forms."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of word choice and collocation when comparing the quality or richness of something across countries. The sentence talks about India's variety, colour, and richness of dance forms, and you must pick the verb that correctly expresses the idea that very few countries can equal or match India in this respect.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence: "Few countries can __________ India in variety, colour and the richness of dance forms."
• The phrase "Few countries can" indicates that India is exceptional.
• We need a verb that means "equal or match in quality."
• The focus is on comparison of richness, not on performance itself.

Concept / Approach:
The verb "rival" means to be as good as or almost as good as someone or something else. It is commonly used in sentences like "No one can rival her in singing" or "Few cities can rival Delhi in history." This fits perfectly here. The verb "compare" is usually used in structures like "compare A with B" and does not follow the pattern "can compare India in." The other verbs "perform" and "prevail" do not have the meaning of "match in richness" that is required.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret the sentence as saying that India is almost unmatched in dance variety. Step 2: Recall that "rival" means to equal in quality or excellence. Step 3: Insert "rival": "Few countries can rival India in variety, colour and the richness of dance forms." Step 4: Check that the preposition "in" correctly introduces the area of comparison, which it does. Step 5: Confirm that the sentence now sounds natural and logically expresses India's uniqueness.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting the other options: "Few countries can compare India in variety" is incorrect; we would need "compare with India" and even then the meaning would not highlight equality. "Few countries can perform India" is meaningless. "Few countries can prevail India" does not work in English either. Only "rival" naturally takes a direct object and the preposition "in" to show the field of comparison.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• compare: Requires a structure like "compare with" or "compare to," so "compare India in variety" is ungrammatical.
• perform: Refers to doing an action or presenting something, not to matching or equalling another country in richness.
• prevail: Means to win, be widespread, or be victorious, which does not convey the idea of matching India in artistic variety.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to pick "compare" because it seems related to comparison, without checking whether the grammar of the sentence allows it. Students may also overlook subtle collocations like "rival in" that are common in good written English. Learning common patterns such as "few cities can rival," "no one can rival," and "cannot rival in beauty" helps you answer such questions quickly and confidently.

Final Answer:
The correct verb is rival, giving the sentence: Few countries can rival India in variety, colour and the richness of dance forms.